53

a—3a

In all cases where assistance was given to poor claims the value of the gold obtained from each and the expenditure on the same was fully inquired into. The total value of water supplied from the race during the year was £6,927 ss. 2d., exclusive of water for flushing purposes in the sludge-channels, water for washing down . and fire purposes, leakage, and waste. For two working-days during the year there was no water supplied from the race for sluicing, and for five working-days there was no water for the channels. Besides the above, the miners observed twenty-five holidays during the year. During the year five claims have been worked out, using forty-three sluice-heads of water, and four claims have ceased work on account of poor washings, using forty sluice-heads, making in all eighty-three sluice-heads. During the same period four new claims have been opened up, using thirty-seven sluice-heads. During the past year water was being lost over the dams on 157 separate days, and during that time the total quantity of water lost would have given a full supply to the field for 150J days if it could have been impounded. Except in long-continued dry weather and severe frosts the supply is largely in excess of the demand. To provide for working new claims, and to allow some of the old claims to continue to work, several extensions and deviations of races have been constructed during the year. One deviation, 16 chains in length, diverted the Kumara Bace from ground that was required for sluicing, and rendered unnecessary a portion of covered race passing through the State-school grounds, which was dangerous and expensive to maintain. Two considerable breakages took place during the year, and in these places ditching had to be replaced by fluming. In the month of August the Kawhaka Supply Race was blocked and considerably damaged by fallen timber. A tunnel 260 ft. in length had to be retimbered, and considerable repairs were necessary to flush-water flumes for Nos. 2 and 3 sludge channels. The 30in. steel syphons have given considerable trouble and require constant repairs, and there is but little doubt that in Kumara steel is unsuitable for pipes. While the iron pipes in use on the field for the last ten years are still in good condition, the steel pipes in use only four years are eaten through in a great number of places ; in fact, about 50 per cent, of them will have to be replaced at an early date. A start has been made in the construction of No. 4 sludge channel, and a distance of 230 ft. has been driven and timbered. A survey was made, and plans, sections, and specifications prepared for a deviation of Larrikin's Road about 100 chains in length. This work was let in five co-operative contracts, which were completed early in April, 1894, at a cost of £547 16s. 2d. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done on a continuation of the Shamrock Lead, between the working of the Long Tunnel Company and the Hokitika Road. The ground, which is about 28ft. in depth, has been driven in a few places, and the lower sft. or 6ft. give prospects of from -J-dwt. to 1-J-dwt. per load. Altogether, twenty-one shafts have been sunk, and I think the ground would give in sluicing about sgr. to the cubic yard taking the whole of the stuff, and would like to see three more shafts sunk and the whole of the stuff washed under strict supervision before giving a decided opinion. If the ground referred to proves payable for sluicing it would do a great deal towards extending for many years the life of Kumara as a goldfield. I have, &c, Alexandee Aitken, Manager Water-races. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 19. Mr. R. Mueeay, Manager, Mount Ida Water-race, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic,— Naseby, 4th May, 1894. I have the honour to submit the following report on the Mount Ida and Blackstone Hill Eaces for the year ending the 31st March, 1894: — Mount Ida Watee-eace. The total sales of water from this race for the year amount to £1,422 9s. 3d., and the total expenditure on maintenance for the same period £1,015 10s. lid., leaving a credit of £406 18s. 4d.; and the total cash received £1,213, leaving a debit of sales of water over cash received of £209 9s. 3d. The average number of miners supplied from the race was seventy-six, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 2,8500z., valued at £10,876 ss. Besides the sales of water above referred to, parties of miners were supplied with free water to the value of £44 95., including water given to Guffie and Co. for damage done to their claim by a break in the race. Free water was given to help parties to cut up tail-races to new ground. The cleaning out of the race and staunching the creeks was finished shortly before Christmas. The beds of the creeks were trenched down until a solid bottom was found, and then puddled up to the level of the race with sods; and bywashes, pitched with boulders, with a fall of Ift. in 3ft., have been constructed, and gates put on the race immediately on the lower side of the by-washes to prevent the race being filled up in times